Atlanta’s Suburban Life Sciences Push Gains Traction as UCB Commits $2B to Rowen

Originally published in Globest.com.

Rowen, an ambitious project to create a 2,000-acre life sciences park that combines sustainability, environmental protection and advanced manufacturing in a suburban Atlanta county, has scored its first major win. UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company based in Brussels, has announced a $2 billion investment in 79 acres in the Gwinnett County park.

Its U.S. headquarters are already located in another Atlanta suburb, Cobb County.

The 460,000-square-foot biological facility will become the future hub for UCB’s manufacturing and supply operations in the U.S., enabling it to meet increasing demand for innovative medicines. It aims to create 330 permanent skilled jobs and over 1,000 construction jobs.

Rowen is within easy reach of world-class universities like the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Georgia and Emory University, among others, as well as various technical colleges. These factors heavily influenced its locational choice, according to the company.

It also praised Gwinnett County’s scalable infrastructure, efficient permitting and thriving life sciences ecosystem, as well as its international community, quality of life and collaborative environment.

UCB’s facility, to be designed and built over seven years, will integrate AI, robotics and improved resource management in the production process. The company said its “digital first approach” will strengthen efficiency and sustainability to create a resilient supply chain, while complementing its global network and strengthening partnerships, including its U.S.-based contract manufacturing organization network.

Rowen’s president and CEO, Mason Ailstock, was formerly the Chief Operating Officer at the Research Triangle Park Foundation (RTP) and is a past president of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP). He said Rowen will target companies in the medical, agricultural, biotech and environmental spheres, drawing on the expertise of its academic partners.

“It would be around workforce, around process, around any number of things that are beneficial to a life science company in addition to R&D.”

Rowen is managed by the non-profit Rowen Foundation, which purchased the land from landowners with historic ties to the area. The Foundation is chaired by Sachin Shailendra, a community leader and construction industry executive. Gwinnett County has committed some $174 million in incentives and infrastructure investments to support the project — the largest capital investment in the county’s history. In addition, the state of Georgia has provided a $3.3 million grant specifically for site preparation as well as access to its workforce-training QuickStart program.

In July, Rowen will break ground on its first structure, the 10,000 square-foot Convergence Center, which Ailstock describes as Rowen’s front door. The mass timber structure will provide space for universities to work and host programs, while also serving as a collaborative hub.

The Center will anchor a new Rowen Village yet to be constructed. Ailstock said Rowen will soon announce a partner to build 200 to 300 multifamily units for lease. The Village is intended to offer a walkable, modern atmosphere with gathering spaces for arts, learning and entertainment, as well as future amenities like cafes, parks, trails and public spaces.

Ailstock said over 20% of Rowen’s acreage will be green space – a key focus of the Rowen Foundation’s mission. The Foundation is committed to environmental stewardship and zero-emission strategies. Its landscape design adapts to the land’s natural contours, preserving open spaces, installing 100% native plantings – even narrowing the main road to save mature trees. Companies in the park are required to follow strict design guidelines. The development became Georgia’s first pilot project to be certified by the Greenroads Foundation.

“If this was a real estate deal, a project like Rowen would never happen because we have invested $32 million in infrastructure. Many of them are led and funded through typical commercial development, equity and debt. They are looking to do a transaction and move on to the next project,” Ailstock said.

“We bought enough land to develop over the next 30 years. And this only happens with a public-private partnership.”